Electric Symbols on Blueprints

If you want to make sense of electric symbols on your blueprints then you’ve come to the right place. The placement of the outlets for all the electrical items in your home can have a significant impact on the design of your home.

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I've included the symbols (along with a bit of explanation) and a checklist. Here goes...

Most of the electrical symbols used on blueprints have become standard. Some architects or designers may use slightly different symbols. Always check with the key on your blueprints.

A few points of explanation...

You’ll notice that some of the symbols have a subscript (that small writing at the bottom of the symbol) that helps explain what the outlet is for. You might some across a symbol with a subscript that isn’t explained here. If so, it should be explained somewhere in the key of the blueprint.

All the outlets refer to wall outlets unless they are contained in square which means they're floor outlets.

Wall and floor power socket outlet symbols

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Single outlet

Duplex outlet

Multiple outlet (number denotes number of sockets)

Duplex outlet with switch

Quad outlet

220 volt outlet

GFCI outlet (more explanation below)

Special Power Outlet (some examples below)

Refrigerator outlet

Clothes washer outlet

Dish washer outlet

Clothes dryer outlet (note 220v)

Range outlet

Floor outlet

GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter - or circuit breaker for short. These outlets are required in places with water - so that's bathrooms and kitchens and maybe outside - especially near a swimming pool. It's so that if you drop your hairdryer in the bath you won't electrocute anyone!

General outlets

General outlets are where a wire is required to power a fixture where the fixture will be wired in rather than plugged in.

The small horizontal line on the left of the circle indicates that the outlet is wall mounted.

A circle without the horizontal line indicates that the outlet is mounted in the ceiling.

Light outlet

Blanked (unused) outlet

Fan outlet

Junction box

Lamp holder

Lamp Holder with pull switch

Pull switch symbol

Clock outlet symbol

Circuits and Panels

Power panel

Branch circuit concealed in ceiling or wall

Branch circuit concealed in floor

Branch circuit exposed

More electric symbols...

Push button symbol

Bell symbol

Buzzer symbol

Thermostat symbol

Smoke detector symbol

Carbon monoxide detector symbol

Panic button symbol

Electric symbols checklist

Make sure you’re happy with the location of outlets – check against your planned furniture layouts. Make sure they're specified at the right height.

Are you happy with the location of the main fuse box? Is it accessible? Because the last thing you want is to be struggling with a torch and ladder if a fuse blows.